SECTION 1. PURPOSE.

.01 This Order prescribes the functions of the Office of Consumer Affairs.

.02 This revision deletes the administrative support and guidance provisions formerly provided by the Office of Public Affairs.

SECTION 2. STATUS AND LINE OF AUTHORITY.

The Office of Consumer Affairs, a Departmental office, shall be headed by a Director who shall report to the Secretary of Commerce.

SECTION 3. FUNCTIONS.

The Office of Consumer Affairs shall conduct the Department of Commerce Consumer Affairs program and serve as a liaison and advisory organization on matters affecting consumer affairs activities of the business community and State, county, and municipal governments. In this capacity, the Office shall:

a. Plan and coordinate the consumer affairs program throughout the Department of Commerce (the "Department") to provide an opportunity for consumer views to be considered in policy development. Manage the Department of Commerce Consumer Council, which is chaired by the Director of Consumer Affairs, and consists of representatives of all operating units, who act as consumer contacts in their units.

b. Provide advice and assistance to operating units and field offices, in the development and implementation of consumer-related programs, Analyze policies, programs, and legislative and regulatory proposals for impact on the consumer in order to recommend actions responsive to consumer needs and to advise senior officials of the Department concerning consumers' views on proposed Commerce policies and programs.

c. Work with sectors of the business community in order to encourage greater business responsiveness to consumer concerns, increase the business community's understanding of consumer issues, and promote business involvement in cooperative government-business-consumer activities.

d. Identify business-consumer issues and develop positions which promote cooperation between the consumer and business communities.

e. Maintain liaison with consumer organizations in order to maintain balanced business-consumer involvement in Department activities and decisions, increase consumer understanding of the business perspective, and promote cooperative government-business-consumer activities.

f. Serve as the point of contact in the Department for consumer inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance.

g. Serve as the point of contact in the Department for business inquiries and requests for assistance in managing consumer relations programs.

h. Coordinate the Department's consumer affairs activities with other Federal, State, county, and municipal government agencies. Represent the Department on the Federal Consumer Affairs Council, established by Executive Order 12160. Provide guidance to State and local consumer agencies' efforts to assist their business communities.

i. Perform other functions as assigned by the Secretary.

SECTION 4. EFFECT ON OTHER ORDERS.

This Order supersedes Department Organization Order 15-10, dated January 27, 1986.

Signed by: Secretary of Commerce